Opec Kemp, Web Developer, AECinfotec

Why do web developers play such an integral role within the organisation? In the electronic age a company's web page is one of their primary faces to the world and is often the first point of call for prospective clients for information. It is important for the company's image to make a good impression and therefore almost as crucial as the other marketing material produced.

What are the best aspects of being a web developer?
The most interesting and exciting aspects of web development are the opportunity to work with emerging technologies and discovering new delivery methods to better the Internet experience to the end user. The other advantage is that the application is accessible to a wider audience, as it can run on most platforms through a thin client i.e. web browser.

How did your career begin?
I started out in 1996 with a local ISP. My primary responsibilities were to provide support to customers, trouble-shooting over the telephone and honing my skills in web design.

I later moved to a company specialising in the emerging electronic commerce industry. I was responsible for designing their web presence as well as becoming involved in software testing, application and development.

I moved onto become a consultant for various government agencies and private enterprise for the following four years, before joining the AECgroup.

What has been the highlight of your career?
The most interesting part of my career has been following the development of the Internet from a form of communication between academic groups into a crucial business tool used in the mainstream marketplace.

What skills do you need to become a good web developer and what should employers look for when hiring them?
It is essential that a good web developer have a detailed knowledge of html and its protocol. A basic skill in graphics design and layout is also advantageous. It is also essential to have a good understanding of programming paradigm and to keep up to date with the latest emerging technologies and standards.

Bruce Able, Producer, AECdesign, marketing & advertising

What type of television advertising do you create and who are some of your clients? We are relatively new to this area and as a result are reluctant to limit our ambitions to what is achievable in-house. This translates to material that is up to the quality of state level. Our adverts are clearly a cut above the locally produced content. We are approaching the point where certain types of material could conceivably be produced for a national campaign.

Clients include:

• Cowboys Leagues Club
• Dalle Cort Financial Services
• Stacey & Stacey Optometrists
• Moduline Kitchens
• National World Travel
• C Bar
• Naked Fish
• Ropeburn Extreme Sports

What type of advertisements do you like to create?
Work that I can be proud of. Awards are nice too, but I would rather be guaranteed of effectiveness for the client through the use of creative, rather than simply production technique.

How much does it cost to produce a television commercial and will your budget affect the overall quality of an advertisement?
How much have you got to spend? (bad advertising joke) Typically around $2500 - $5000. Budget certainly can influence the overall result.

Camerawork & production for example is especially time consuming. Unless there is sufficient budget for that we would have to use footage that could possibly be improved with more time. Having said that, I think everyone understands that if it is not up to standard, footage will not be used.

Graphics effects work can also be expensive. Typically the full cost of post-production work has not been passed on. We have had to prove proficiency in this area initially.

The idea is to plan creative that is achievable within a budget. As national campaigns run to hundreds of thousands in production alone, I think it is fairly self-evident those limitations do exist in the price range that many people are able to pay for.

Finally, does sex really sell?
Yes it still sells. I don't think human nature has changed that much in a decade. However it depends on a lot of factors. In general I feel that it is not appropriate for our corporate clients. If it is to be used at all - it should be done with style and suggestiveness. I think we remember positively commercials that use sex minus the use of skin (particularly bad skin).